Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-12-04

Of your boat hove in sight, one Of them
tarnal wild cats began 10 growl and
scratch close to my heels.
''She came right at me a-growlin' an
kickin up the leaves with her feet, an
snappin' at me. Then l skunk away, an
caught hold of this tree, an swung up
in its branches. The old critter was a
good climber too, an she was at my
heels the next moment. Then began
to set up a-yellin' to attract your atten-
ton, an when ye was right under me l
dropped. Thet's the story, strangers.
Our visitors account of his adventures
was so plausible that we all felt satisfied,
and at once he became a free passenger.
While / returned to my wheel, and
started the tug under way again, one of
the deck hands took him below to give
him something To eat. The excite
ment of the little adventurer soon
died out, and in half an hour ! had
almost forgotten that we had more pas
sengers on board than our usual number.
/ watched complacently the clouds drift
ing across the face of the moon, forming
fantastic pictures against the soft light
of the sky. The scene was in harmony
with my feelings, and had duty not die
tated differently should have dropped
peacefully TO sleep.
But long service had made me sleepless
when the spokes of the wheel were in my
hand. and unconsciously l kept my
weather eve directed straight ahead when
the passageway became exceptionally mar
row. As we crossed one of the open
spaces in the river, and were approaching
the narrow part of the stream again, my
attention was attracted by the peculiar
actions of the tug. Her prov seemed to
be gradually heading toward the right
bank. where a dense growth OF bushes
extended down to the waters edge. In
voluntarily turned the wheel in the OPP
posite direction, and for moment the
boat seemed endeavoring to obey her rud-
der. She struggled up stream for a mo-
ment, then hesitated, and again headed
toward the shore. With desperate jerk
threw the rudder as far TO the right as
it could 60, determined to make the vessel
mind. But to my surprise, she merely
repeated her former actions, and ap-
preached within 200 yards of the bank.
Feeling certain that something was
wrong, / struck the bell sharply for the
engineer 10 reverse the machinery. She
was checked at once, but not until her
prov stuck in the mud near the bank.
thought then | saw human form emerge
from the bushes, but the sudden back
ward movement of the tug prevented me
from seeing clearly.
By this time had become anxious lest
something was wrong aboard the boat,
and, calling one Of the deck hands, told
him TO examine the river ahead of us as
we proceeded. Then, starting up stream
slowly again, held the spokes firmly in
my hand, and waited for further devel-
opments. Once more the boat began to
act in the old peculiar manner, turn
ing her prov gradually toward the
right bank. This was exasperating,
and the machinery was again stop
ped. Boat hooks were then busily
employed searching in the water for the
obstruction.
LEND us a hand here, suddenly cried
one of the men with the hooks, as he
seemed to be tugging away at something
in the water. The next moment he
pulled up to our view heavy cable rope
that lay diagonally across the river. II
was stretched in such manner that a
boat coming up stream would not be
suddenly checked in its headway, but
would gradually swing its head around
until its PROV ran straight into the right
bank.
The discovery confirmed my fears that
attempts were being made to capture the
boat, but before could give orders to
cut the cable, a flash and report from
the right bank informed US that our lives
were in danger. Reversing the engine,
we started the tug toward the left bank,
to get beyond the reach Of bullets If pos
sible. Here concluded to hold con-
sultation with my men and prepare for
battle. In the shadow of the trees on
the left bank of the river we were in
such darkness that they could not do
mach damage with their firearms, though
a stray bullet might nick one of Ms off nj
apy moment,
There were three of us. all heavily
armed and desperate men. accustomed 10
dodge bullets and return a shot for a
shot. The stranger would make the
fourth. but of his courage. however. we
were ignorant. He was still in the cabin
below sleeping. as we supposed: but
when we went 10 rouse him we found Ia
our chagrin that he had disappeared. I
concluded ,hat bo yos in laao,,a u,;,b